2 INCUMBENT MAYORS WILL IN UPSTATE VOTES RACE IN WATERTOWN REMAINS CLOSE.(Local)

Byline: United Press International

Citizens in more than three-dozen cities across upstate New York voted for mayor Tuesday, re-electing incumbents in Ithaca and Auburn, but leaving the race still close in Watertown.

In Ithaca, Mayor John Gutenberger, a two-term Democrat, defeated Republican and local doctor Reuben Weiner, who conceded the race shortly before 10 p.m. In unofficial returns, Gutenberger took 72 percent of the total vote over Weiner's 28 percent.

Watertown's non-partisan election featured a bout between Mayor T. Urling Walker and businessman John Kennedy. Early unofficial returns showed that with 30 percent of the vote tallied, Walker led Kennedy by only 85 votes.

In Auburn, Democratic challenger William McKeon conceded the race to two-term Republican incumbent Ed Lauckern Jr. An unofficial tally showed that with 80 percent of the votes counted, Lauckern had 52 percent of the votes and McKeon had 48 percent.

Among the other races waged across upstate New York were those in Utica, Rome, Elmira, Jamestown and Niagara Falls.

In Rome, Republican incumbent Carl Eilenberg sought a third term as he ran against Democrat and former city Police Chief Joseph Grande.

Utica Mayor Louis LaPolla, running on the Republican-Conservative ticket, was fighting a challenge from Democratic-Independent candidate Daniel Maggio.

Four mayoral hopefuls campaigned to take the place of departing Poughkeepsie Mayor Thomas Aposporo, a four-term incumbent. The candidates were Democrat Robert Bleakley, Republican Floetta Hedberg, Conservative Arthur Weinberg and independent Victor Morris.

A low to moderate number of residents had cast ballots as of late afternoon in the four-way race, said Dutchess County Board of Elections Commissioner Walter Jablonski.

Two-term Elmira Mayor Stephen Fesh Jr, a Republican, faced a strong challenge from Democratic city Councilman James Hare. The spirited campaign attracted a moderate to heavy voter turnout, encouraged by mild, fair weather, Chemung County Board of Elections officials said.

Jamestown Mayor Stephen Carlson, the incumbent Democrat, was seeking his third full term in the face of Republican candidate Ronald Rine's campaign.

Carlson has been mayor for 10 years. He was appointed to the post in 1977 when former mayor and current Lt. Gov. Stan Lundine resigned to successfully seek a congressional seat. Carlson then won office by election two years later.

In North Tonawanda, incumbent Republican Mayor Elizabeth Hoffman was unopposed for re-election.

In Niagara Falls, Democratic Mayor Michael O'Laughlin sought election to his third four-year term. His challenger was Republican Jacob Palillo, a city firefighter.